Tuesday, February 08, 2011

100,000 Pieces of Fruit

The David family and their friend, Bridget Keenan, were sitting on the grass surrounded by hundreds of oranges and grapefruits on a brisk Thursday morning.

They had just picked the fruit from a neighbor’s trees and were counting and sorting them, choosing the best to be donated to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

It’s Helena David’s goal this year to pick 100,000 citrus fruits and donate them to the needy.

As she drives around town, the Burbank resident said she sees trees bursting with ripe fruit that no one has time or energy to harvest.

On Jan. 28, the team, including her husband, Scott, and their son, 15-year-old Aaron, picked another neighbor’s trees and took 984 oranges and 73 grapefruit to the center. On Thursday, they brought 215 lemons, 287 grapefruit and 1,605 oranges. The total to date is more than 3,000.

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Executive Director Barbara Howell said she was looking forward to the team bringing another load of fresh fruit.

“People give us canned goods, and we are very appreciative, but fresh fruits and vegetables are just an amazing treat that we are not often able to share with our clients,” she said. “It’s a very healthy snack, and oranges aren’t as perishable as say a pear or tomato.”

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The citrus donation comes at a time when the center’s pantry shelves are sparse, she said. The most important staple they lack is peanut butter.

“We tell people, if you are going to spend just $5, buy peanut butter or macaroni and cheese in the dry package,” she said.

Fax Helena David at (818) 846-1262 to have the team come out. Include name, phone number and days and times they can come. READ MORE !